Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, this Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me it was more of the same for anglers all over CT this week. Anglers are finding success with recently stocked trout and salmon as long as the flows are not too high or out of control. He has managed most of his fish with yellow or gold line spinners, but the center pin and spoons can also work. With most of the state’s lakes and ponds now ice-free, anglers have been taking advantage of strong bass, pike and trout fishing. A few reports of striped bass have come in from the creeks and tribes of eastern Connecticut, while the Housatonic remains the hot bed for wreck fishing.
Heather from Black Hawk Sport Fishing reported that they ended their season on a high note, with some good trips during the holidays. They had a good run of bass before the season ended, along with some cod, haddock and pollack. They are now done for the season as they are pulling the boat for some maintenance. Be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page and/or websites for updates on the spring sailing schedule!
And, at Dan’s Bait, Tackle and Charters in New London told me anglers have continued to take advantage of the lack of ice on the rivers, with some decent bass catches in the Thames and Connecticut estuaries. The recent rains have muddied things up a bit, but it’s clearing up quickly. Most are reporting the best success with paddletail soft plastics on a 1- to 3-ounce jighead. Some of the fish will still take a swim plug, especially on warmer/sunnier days. Saltwater anglers heading to Rhode Island for cod continue to find good catches, weather permitting.
Bobby J’s Bait and Tackle in Milford reports that most anglers are still focused on the Housatonic, where good striper fishing continues day and night. The Sunnyside area has been a hot spot of late, with most of the fish still coming on soft plastics threaded to various sizes of lead heads. The bigger fish still tend to come after dark, but fishing has also been steady for anglers fishing during the day. The Naugatuck River flows have also cleared/settled, and anglers are reporting a good increase in salmon activity this week.
The world of fishermen in Norwalk reports that the Housatonic River continues to draw the most interest from local anglers. Soft plastics, such as Zoom Superflukes or Albie Snax, on light heads are still the ticket for winter detritus fishing. The middle and upper reaches of the river are now producing the best bites, from the Sportplex to the northern points. Trout anglers are reporting good catches from the Norwalk, Mianus and Saugatuck rivers on Roostertails, small spoons and small jigs. Herring reports remain quiet this season, but some have been caught in Norwalk and South Benson.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
Our mild winter continues, creating a waiting game for local ice anglers, but offering some better than usual open water opportunities.
Connecticut fishermen can continue take advantage of the abundance of stripes low and they continue to see more consistency as the rivers clear up. While the mild winter can be aggravating for ice anglers, it has helped highlight the strong fishery we have. Reports from the Housatonic they were as stable as expected before the rain/snow, i this should remain the same as we stay soft after the weekend. If you don’t want to head to the Housatonic, there have been good enough school action in the lower Connecticut River, the Thames River, and most of the small estuaries of the Eastern Sound to make it worth not driving west. Freshwater fishermen can take advantage of another round of Atlantic salmon half in the Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers, along with some recent fall trout. The Connecticut River has started cleaning ifspare water fishermen those who take advantage are finding ample open water opportunities for pike, perch and pike all over the river.